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Welcome to the first edition of my monthly email newsletter for the new year. I hope your new year has been off to a great start. This month, I wanted to update you on some of the things I have been working on in Lansing.
As is required in the Michigan Constitution, on Jan. 12 the Michigan Senate held its first day of the 2022 regular session. The state’s constitution requires that “each regular session start on the second Wednesday in January at 12:00 noon.” Legislative session ends on the last day of the year, Dec. 31.
As always, I encourage you to contact me with any questions or ideas you may have on state issues. You may call my office at 517-373-1635, send an email at [email protected], or check out my Facebook or Twitter pages. Please let me know how I can be of service to you.
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Sen. Bumstead reacts to State of the State address
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On Wednesday, January 26, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer held her 2022 State of the State address. I appreciated hearing the governor’s thoughts on many of the issues directly impacting Michigan’s future.
I’m glad to hear of the governor’s support for rebuilding water infrastructure across our state. I believe we should actively protect the water in our lakes and rivers, as well as the drinking water entering the pipes of our homes. I introduced Senate Bill 565 to invest $3.3 billion to preserve and protect Michigan’s water quality, infrastructure, and vital natural resources.
The Michigan Senate took action toward ensuring our state’s water infrastructure will undergo significant improvements by passing Senate Bill 565 unanimously. I look forward to the governor endorsing my bill, so we can get to work making transformational changes around the state.
As budget subcommittee chair for the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, I will continue working with stakeholders and my colleagues in the Legislature to develop a budget that effectively invests state dollars to improve the safety and reliability of our state’s water infrastructure.
The governor proposed a rollback of Michigan’s retirement tax. I am very supportive of providing tax relief for everyone in Michigan. If those that have a public pension deserve a tax cut, then I would support everyone that receives retirement income be given the same reduction. Additionally, there are those of retirement age that still have to work to make ends meet, and those seniors should also be given relief.
The governor also proposed tripling the Earned Income Tax Credit to 20% of the federal credit to help low-to-moderate income families. I’ve consistently supported lowering the tax rates on both families and businesses in our state, so I am excited to hear the governor is finally getting on board.
I introduced legislation to lower the income tax rate on businesses to improve the economy and create more high paying jobs to assist families across the state. I also voted in favor of legislation to lower the individual income tax rate to 3.9% and provide a child tax credit to families with children 19 years of age and younger. These bills will provide immediate tax relief to low- and moderate-income families, and I look forward to the governor supporting these commonsense solutions.
I am also in favor of the idea to encourage more residents to pursue job training programs to help close the skilled trades gap. There are thousands of unfilled jobs in our state, and we need to promote skilled trades education and job training programs to help fill these high-paying opportunities.
As vice chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, I look forward to the governor’s upcoming budget presentation and working with her administration to ensure Michigan passes a balanced, responsible budget that funds critical priorities like water infrastructure, skilled trades education, tax relief for families and seniors, and continuing to pay down our long-term debt.
As we move forward into 2022, I hope to work together with my colleagues in the Legislature and the governor to wisely invest in the future of our state to build a better Michigan.
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Bumstead applauds Supreme Court decision to block Biden COVID-19 vaccine mandate
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The U.S. Supreme Court blocked the Biden Administration’s heavy-handed mandate forcing private businesses with more than 100 employees to require employees receive a COVID-19 vaccination or be tested for the virus weekly.
I was proud to support Senate Resolution 83 earlier this year that condemned President Joe Biden’s decision to impose vaccine requirements on private employers and urged the governor and attorney general of Michigan to pursue all available avenues to challenge the unlawful mandate. During the first day of session of 2022, the Michigan Senate adopted Senate Resolution 101, a resolution condemning President Biden’s Head Start vaccine and mask mandate.
“Make your voice heard! My office has created a website to give you an opportunity to provide feedback on vaccine mandates. To provide feedback on this issue, please visit www.SenatorJonBumstead.com/Vaccine-Mandates.
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Senate, House Oversight committees review Deloitte report on UIA fraud
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The Senate and House Oversight committees held a joint hearing to discuss a Deloitte and Touche investigation into imposter fraud and intentional misrepresentation payments made by the Unemployment Insurance Agency.
According to the Deloitte report, the agency is alleged to have squandered up to $8.5 billion in fraudulent jobless claims throughout the coronavirus pandemic. The new report follows a recent state Office of the Auditor General audit indicating $3.9 billion had been paid out to ineligible recipients due to the agency ignoring federal rules.
There are unanswered questions that the department needs to address like who specifically was responsible for fraud prevention during this time or who made the decisions to roll back fraud protections. The hearings will continue until we find who was responsible for these decisions and they are held accountable for their actions.
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House committee approves Bumstead bill restructuring judicial district courts
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On Tuesday, the House Judiciary Committee on approved legislation I sponsored to restructure the judicial districts within Newaygo, Lake, Mason, and Oceana counties.
Senate Bill 654 will maintain the same number of judges in the 27th and 51st Circuit Courts, and the 78th and 79th District Courts. By restructuring the courts in these counties, it will establish a more efficient workload for the judges while ensuring the best access to justice for our residents.
Currently, Newaygo and Oceana counties share the same judicial courts, and Mason and Lake counties share the same courts. Under the legislation, the judicial courts will be restructured so Newaygo and Lake counties will share their courts, and Mason and Oceana counties will share judicial courts.
Every two years the State Court Administrative Office releases a Judicial Resource Recommendations report based on its review of the needs of the Michigan judiciary. The 2019 report identified issues with the judicial districts of Newaygo, Lake, Mason, and Oceana counties.
This is a local solution to an issue identified in the Judicial Resource Recommendations report. I worked directly with our judges and court administrators in all four counties to come up with a plan to provide the best court case management while being efficient with state and local resources.
The bill will now go to the floor of the House of Representatives for consideration.
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House committee approves Bumstead bill adding judgeship in Muskegon County
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On Tuesday, January 25, the House Judiciary Committee approved legislation I sponsored to add a judgeship to the 14th Circuit Court in Muskegon County beginning in 2023, among other additional judgeships.
Circuit Courts in counties across the state are currently facing a significant backlog, and they do not have enough judges on hand to keep up with their current caseloads. This legislation will enable the circuit courts to catch up on the backlog of pending cases and operate at peak capacity into the future.
As mentioned above the State Court Administrative Office released their Judicial Resource Recommendations report in 2019 which recommended that a judge be added to the 14th Circuit Court in Muskegon County. Senate Bill 694 would add the additional circuit court judge starting on Jan. 1, 2023, bringing the county’s total to five circuit court judges. The initial term would be for eight years to stagger the judgeships, so that no more than two of the judges are up for re-election in the same year.
Adding a judge to Muskegon’s 14th Circuit Court is necessary to ensure county residents have access to justice. Doing so will also ease the increased workload judges are currently handling, which will allow them more time to dedicate to individual cases.
The House Judiciary adopted a substitute to the legislation that would add additional judgeships from Kent County all the way to the district court of Cheboygan and Presque Isle. The additional judgeships were also included in the most recent Judicial Resource Recommendations report.
The bill will now go to the floor of the House of Representatives for consideration.
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Bumstead applauds Consumers Energy Foundation grant benefitting Muskegon
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The Consumers Energy Foundation recently announced grants totaling nearly $500,000 for three People Award projects. Muskegon was among one of the grant awardees, which help vulnerable people to meet basic needs and prepare them for a brighter future. Specifically, the People Award grants support nonprofit organizations that help provide individuals with economic security in the areas of basic needs, education and workforce readiness.
I applaud the Consumers Energy Foundation for selecting the Foundation for Muskegon Community College to receive a $238,200 grant to support the creation of a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) lab and the hiring of a STEM coordinator to help K-12 students learn about the important connection of STEM to skilled trades careers.
The Foundation for Muskegon Community College was one of three winners selected from over 70 applicants. My congratulations to MCC for being selected for this prestigious award.
You can read more about The Consumers Energy Foundation and its People Awards at www.ConsumersEnergy.com/foundation.
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Bumstead highlights upcoming events in the 34th District
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I want to remind area-residents of the following events taking place throughout the 34th District in the upcoming weeks and months:
Coffee Connect
Thursday, February 3
7:45 AM - 9:00 AM
Steak 'N Egger
1535 Holton Road
Muskegon, MI 49445
Description: Coffee Connect is a brand-new Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce event that allows you to learn about other members, build relationships, and try out a local coffee spot! Each Coffee Connect will take place at a different Chamber member location, allowing for a new environment each time! This is the perfect way to get back into connecting with fellow Chamber Members and business leaders. More information can be found here.
HART Winterfest – Vintage Snowmobile Show and Swap Meet
Saturday, February 5
9 AM – 3 PM
Oceana County Fairgrounds
1025 S. State Street
Hart, MI 49420
Description: Hart Winterfest is a community centered, antique, vintage, and classic snowmobile show in Hart, Michigan. The show is the first Saturday of February. More information can be found here.
Black Tie for the Y
Saturday, February 5
6:30 PM
Delta Marriott Downtown Lakeshore Ballroom
939 Third Street
Muskegon, MI 49440
Description: Come celebrate Muskegon County cancer survivors and support the Livestrong with the Muskegon YMCA for cancer survivors’ program. The evening gala provides dinner, live and silent auction, raffles and the opportunity to help cancer survivors to reclaim their lives. More information can be found at www.muskegonymca.org/blacktie.
Meet Your New Local Elected Officials! – Muskegon County
Thursday, February 17
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Online Via ZOOM
Description: It's important to know your local elected officials! At this event, elected officials will introduce themselves and talk briefly about their top priorities! Hear what's happening in different municipalities throughout Muskegon County. This is a great way to learn about the issues that are affecting the Muskegon Lakeshore community. More information can also be found here.
Networking Meet Up
Thursday, February 17
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Schindy's at Diamond Lake
297 W Foss Avenue
White Cloud, MI 49349
Description: Networking doesn't have to be boring! And with Schindy's at Diamond Lake hosting our first Meet Up it's sure to be a fun filled time. Special thanks to Michael Burns of Active Training Consultants for sponsoring! Bring a friend, your business card and an appetite. More information can also be found here.
Greater Muskegon Jaycees Annual Snowfest
Saturday, February 19
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Mercy Health Arena
470 W. Western Ave.
Muskegon, MI 49440
Description: The downtown winter festival features a jam-packed Saturday including popular events such as the “Battle of the Bowls Chili Cook-Off”, and a Cornhole Tournament! More information can also be found here.
What a Catch Ice Fishing Tournament
Saturday, February 19
6:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Maple Grove Park
4655 Goodrich St
Montague, MI 49437
Description: HarborLight Credit Union and Boardwell Mechanical are sponsoring an ice fishing tournament! No fishing permit needed. More information can also be found here.
2022 Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce Excellence Awards
Friday, February 25
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Trillium Catering and Event Center
17246 Van Wagoner Road
Spring Lake, MI 49456
Description: Excellence is always found in the most successful businesses and organizations. We are pleased to celebrate the “best of the best” at the upcoming Excellence Awards Luncheon. Our 2022 categories include Entrepreneur, Manufacturing, Retail, Service and Tourism. More information can be found here.
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Michigan's 34th Senate District
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The 34th State Senate District includes the counties of Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana.
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Thank you for subscribing to my electronic newsletter! I am honored to represent you in the state Senate. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Please feel free to forward this on to others who may be interested in receiving the 34th District E-news. You may sign up for it also at my website.
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Senator Jon Bumstead
4600 Connie Binsfeld Building
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
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